Former OC looks back at his career
Joseph Fatiaki started off his career as a library assistant before joining the Fiji Police Force where he rose through the ranks to be an officer in charge (OC).
The former Tavua Police district OC has enormous experience in Police work.
He was part of batch (1), 1982, and yesterday he marked his 40 year anniversary.
Originally from Rotuma, Fatiaki left school around 1980 to explore career pathways he was passionate about.
“I went to Marist Brothers High school and in 1981 I started to play rugby at senior level for Police and Saint John’s Marist Club,” Mr Fatiaki said.
“I represented Fiji in rugby and toured New Zealand in 1980.”
Post-2000 coup, Fatiaki was one of the police officers who volunteered to conduct thorough interrogations into George Speight’s coup.
They were led by Senior superintendent Waisea Tabakau.
“I was part of the investigation team from the beginning until the last stages where instigators fronted court,” he said.
“In the beginning, most officers were reluctant to be part of the investigation so we volunteered.
“It was scary because there were still some rebels around at that time, I thank Mr Tabakau for his steadfast leadership because he was a man ‘on the go’.”
In Samabula Police Station, he was transferred to the internal audit unit, for three years, joined the community policing headquarters and ultimately got promoted to assistant superintendent.
“That same year, there was a vacancy for the position of OC. I applied and got a post in 2011 until I retired in 2016,” he said.
“Now after retirement, I have bought land where I can plant, do livestock farming and exercise at the same time.”